After successes with microcomputers, many computer
companies released PC compatible computers. But PC was an office
computer, and even adding CGA graphics to it didn't changed the fact
that PC was a big box on desk, usually with external keyboard and
dedicated monitor. After IBM released PCjr, and quickly took it from the
market, companies tried to make PC a new home computer. Commodore
released a small PC-1, Vendex released Explorer, and Amstrad had a very
good sales of their PC - PC1512. In Germany, Schneider Computer
Division, which was selling Amstrad products, decided to offer a "home
PC" as a continuation of Amstrad CPC Z80-powered microcomputers line. In
1988 they released Euro PC, and not much later Euro PC II (with new
mainboard and 768kB of RAM) which were a complete PC clones in a
keyboard-like casings. Quickly Euro PC became a popular product offered
even in mail-order catalogues. Euro PC is a totally German machine not
much related to British Amstrad.
Euro PC II was a 8088-based complete PC XT-compatible computer
containing a CGA/MDA-compatible graphics chip and 768kB of RAM. In the
same casing there was a keyboard and 720kB 3.5" floppy disk drive. By
using connectors it was possible to connect joystick, mouse, external
floppy disk drive or hard disk using XTA interface. The processor could
run at 9.54MHz which was similar to many XTs of late 1980s. In mainboard
there was a battery-backed clock chip, so the time was preserved. Single
ISA slot allows to expand its capabilities by installing interface or
VGA boards. It was usually purchased by consumers as a "startin point"
in PC environment. It was shipped with power supply unit, 12-inch
display and MS-DOS 3.3 operating system with MS Works package. It was
more than enough to start with PC.

My unit was from e-waste in Germany. The mainboard was
in really poor condition and was not booting up. I found that RTC
battery leaked destroying tracks in PCB and one 74-line bus driving
circuit. The mainboard has been cleaned and tracks restored. After
removing battery, it was replaced with CR2032. Another problem was disk
drive which was totally destroyed by humidity. It was replaced according
to this hack. Now the
unit starts up and can boot from floppy disk.

The computer boots BIOS and performs power-on test. To
enter setup, use Ctrl-Alt-Esc combination at startup. Then it boots from
floppy, or, if XTA hard disk is connected, it will try to boot from it.

But the most important thing: If you got a new Euro PC,
doesn't matter is it working or not, open it and REMOVE THE BATTERY. If
it is already removed, check tracks nearby, maybe they need cleaning. Do
not install a new rechargeable battery of the same type, because in 5
years you will get the same problem. Just solder a diode there (cathode
facing battery +) and use CR2032 as it will not leak so easily. All
EuroPCs I've seen have problems with leaking batteries as it is harder
to open them than desktop.

The computer has BIOS setup which allows to set all
configuration parameters without touching any jumper.